The Machine Page #2

crescent-shaped scars?

That's where their implants go.

They're all war veterans

with brain-trauma injuries.

Implants help restore

vision, mobility, memory.

Vastly improve their quality of life.

That's wonderful.

When do you get to share that

tech with the rest of the world?

Well, soon, I hope,

but there are side effects.

One of them is that it renders

them completely mute.

We still don't understand why.

A few months after the operation,

they lose the power of speech.

After you.

Suri gets there later. She trusts me.

She trusts me.

No. No. Suri. I've told you...

No.

Access granted.

Come on.

This was used as a temporary clean

room for dangerous projects,

but it's become my permanent

lab over the years.

It's peaceful down here. I like it.

It smells like gasoline.

I think some of the old

generators still work on diesel.

Come in.

This is my lab.

And there it is.

The quantum computer. Mm-

Electrons floating

on superfluid helium.

The nanotech doesn't exist

to make that into a circuit.

I assembled it using

microfabrication techniques.

Clever bugger, isn't he?

Hello, Ava. Very pleased

to have you join our team.

Vincent's told us all

how talented you are.

We're all very excited to see what

the two of you can achieve together.

After all, Vincent's no slouch.

I know.

I spent an entire semester studying

his work on A.I. when I was at Stanford.

Yes. That was shortly after you

turned down the job at the N.S.A.

Odd for a 19-year-old

to pass on such an honor.

Not really. I mean,

CXT made a better offer.

So nothing to do with

your politics then?

I think we can all be forgiven for

a little youthful exuberance.

That's not exactly what I'd call

assaulting a police officer.

I was 16, and it was more

resisting arrest than assault.

Beg my pardon, Ava,

but what's the difference?

It's Ava.

And... depends whose side you're on.

I thought we hired Ava for her

expertise, not her politics.

Now, if there's nothing else?

There is actually.

The new model of prosthetic arms...

is ready for testing... thought

you might like a sneak peek.

- Hello.

- Hi.

The skin's a spider-silk weave.

It's bullet-, bomb-and fireproof...

but indistinguishable from

human skin to the touch.

What's this cover for?

We're having trouble getting

the skin to take the dye.

It's naturally clear,

and the outer suit helps

the color to sink in.

So you want the machine soldier

to look human?

Yes, we want machines that can

manage a three-block war...

the battle, the negotiations

and the peace.

We already have plenty

of machines that can kill,

but imagine a machine that can

protect civilian populations,

that can keep war zones secure and

safe without endangering our troops.

Eventually it will look and sound

exactly like the people it's fighting.

All we'll need to do is give it

a new skin job...

and it will look Pakistani

or Chinese or...

whoever else is endangering

world peace that week.

His sternum, clavicles, true ribs...

have all been swapped out

for silicon nanofibers.

Why don't you give us a demo?

I've never seen prosthetics

as advanced as this.

How are you finding

the new model, James?

It's incredible.

This will sound strange, but...

Can I touch your hand?

This is what I miss the most...

the feel of another human,

someone's hand in mine.

Um, of course you can.

I... I actually don't think

that's a good idea.

Um, the carbon-fiber muscles

are extremely strong.

I think we should wait until James

can control them a bit more.

He looks pretty in control to me.

Thank you. Very kind.

Take it easy, huh?

James. James, that's enough.

Help me. Area 6.

Vincent, sorry. Got carried away.

Don't worry, Vincent. You

can have the next dance.

Thank you. Who taught

you to tango, soldier?

A prostitute in Taipei, sir.

A talented girl obviously.

So, how long will it take to copy the rest

of my brain using the quantum computer?

A week. A week?

As you can see, we've got

beautifully designed arms.

We also have legs and mech spines.

We just need the two of you to come up

with a brain that can control everything.

And by the way, chop, chop.

War is coming.

Very nice to meet you, Ava.

You're a hell of a dancer.

What makes you happy?

Problem solving, mathematics...

and, dancing.

What makes you scared?

Spiders, clowns, cancer.

What are you getting out of all this?

What do you mean?

Why'd you leave all that money in the

private sector to come work down here?

There's no great mystery. I became

a parent and needed a regular job.

This is a regular job?

What's your first memory?

Sitting on my father's lap

watching him write computer code.

Funny.

My daughter used to

like doing that too.

Yeah? Is she still

interested in computers?

No, she isn't.

I need a break.

You know, you should put some

pictures of your daughter up.

I used to love that

when I'd visit my dad.

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to

ask you to put that back on.

Sorry. I need to ask you

some more questions.

What's in Area 6?

Wounded veterans like James.

Soldiers who were so brain-damaged

that they were better off dead...

till we helped them.

If you're helping them,

why did he seem like

he was a prisoner here?

Sorry. I don't know about that.

Refresh the face scanner.

Right. I'll start the program.

Access to Area 6 denied.

Password required.

When did they take him in?

Half past 7:
00.

Or just another one of those freaks.

Do you think they can

remember who they are?

There you go.

How can you trust something

that doesn't fear...

weapons for the government.

It's not programming.

It taught itself.

Why do they have

those crescent-shaped scars?

That's wonderful.

When do you get to share that

tech with the rest of the world?

Why did he seem like

he was a prisoner here?

What's in Area 6?

Now sad.

Aw.

Shut up.

All right, okay. Okay.

Now surprised.

I don't want my face

copied for the machine.

All right? Just promise me.

I promise. We'll just use

it for neural markers.

Is that okay? That's fine.

So you get lost this morning?

Yeah. Well, I guess

you could say that.

Who told you that?

No one told me.

I just... I just know

how long it takes...

to get here from the lift.

I guess, after seven years, you should

know everything about this place.

Yeah, I do.

Don't get lost again.

What does that mean?

It means...

there are a lot of secrets

down here in the dark,

and I don't want you to get hurt.

Vincent, what's really going on here?

See, this is what I'm talking about.

What?

You need to mind

your own f***ing business.

Okay, Suri, I'm ready to see those

files you've gathered on Ava.

What's the urgency?

I see the program's

passed the Turing test.

She's not as stupid as she seems.

What the hell's she up to?

A hacking device.

Look, I'm sorry I was short

with you the other day.

I care about you, Ava.

I don't want to see you

get in trouble.

I think that she is still

angry with you, Vincent.

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